NAMI Metro Baltimore takes the coronavirus risk very seriously, and is staying informed of all advisories from the state of Maryland and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Program Schedule Update: March 27, 2020
In accordance with the state of Maryland’s declaration of a state of emergency, NAMI Metro Baltimore has suspended in-person education and support programs beginning March 16th through April 24th. NAMI Metro Baltimore adheres to the closure policy of Baltimore County Public Schools for all programs and activities. Please see below for additional program and event schedule changes.
Online Support Group Meetings
Beginning April 2nd, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore will offer weekly peer and family support group meetings online. Registration is required to participate in each meeting. View the schedule and learn more here.
Event Postponement
The Of Substance Stoop Storytelling event scheduled for March 31 at Goucher College will be postponed. The partnering organizations are developing plans to hold the event in the fall.
The Mental Health Education Conference for Faith Leaders scheduled for April 2nd at the Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt has been postponed. Registered conference attendees will be refunded within 7 days. NAMI Metro Baltimore staff is in the process of identifying a new date to host the conference.
We will continue to keep you updated as both events are rescheduled.
Class Start Date Postponement
- The NAMI Peer-to-Peer class scheduled to begin Saturday, March 14th at Christian Temple will be postponed until further notice.
- The NAMI Family-to-Family class scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 21st at MedStar Franklin Square Hospital will be postponed until further notice.
Office Closure and HelpLine
The NAMI Metro Baltimore office will be closed from March 16th through April 24th. Staff will be available remotely. Additionally, the HelpLine will continue to be available during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.
NAMI Metro Baltimore will share updates on our program schedule and events via email, our website, and our social media accounts. Please be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to receive the latest updates and announcements. You can subscribe to receive our email newsletter and updates here.
Managing Your Mental and Physical Health
First, and foremost, we want you to care of your own health. Be sure to stay hydrated, eat good, healthy foods, get restful sleep, and maintain, to the best of your ability, your own personal self-care practices. This is key to wellness.
We know that the breaking news and headlines about this health emergency can feel overwhelming and stressful. It’s important to remain informed and aware, but also to manage your stress and anxiety. Here are a few tips and practices:
- Take breaks from your news consumption: With smartphone apps, push notifications, and 24/7 news coverage, there is a tremendous amount of information available at all times. It’s ok to take breaks. Be observant of your own tendencies in news consumption, and limit your time on news sites if you notice yourself spending a lot of time on them.
- Be cognizant of your social media use: Social media can intensify the effects that you feel from news and information overload. The seemingly endless stream of information can make it difficult to shift your focus. Make sure to exhibit self-control when it comes to social media use, and consider deleting apps, turning off push-notifications, or giving yourself a mental break.
- Practice good stress management: Consistent and sound stress management practices can be an easy and effective way to mitigate news anxiety. Be sure to stick with practices that work for you.
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